It remains unclear whether Netanyahu intends to bring a compromise proposal before the cabinet. Knesset members who spoke to him in recent days said they were under the impression he wanted to continue construction in the settlements, but feared American and international pressure would force him to reach some kind of compromise.

“The pressure is directed at Israel at the moment, and it’s heavy pressure,” a senior political source said yesterday. “The Americans keep talking to Netanyahu, trying to persuade him to adopt a compromise that would allow for a return to negotiations with the Palestinians. But it’s clear to us the pressure will shift to the Arab states by the weekend, to have the Arab League order the Palestinian Authority to resume negotiations with Israel.”

The Arab League is set to meet over the weekend and discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

“After the League deliberations conclude, we’ll see which way the wind is blowing and what Israeli flexibility should look like,” the senior political source said.